We would like to provide input into this process and submit the following ideas for consideration:

1) NCS should provide a suite of models/data inputs (e.g., agreed emissions scenarios) that states can use for planning purposes (e.g., water supply planning)
 Downscaling/regionalization/localization of climate-related models – sea level rise, precipitation, and temperature projections, impacts on water quality and quantity, as well as vulnerability of native rare plants, animals and habitat/ecological systems to these projected changes.
 Regionalized inputs/parameters for precipitation, sea level rise and temperature, and impacts on water quality and quantity.
 Guidance on how best to use models and other tools for planning purposes.
 In case input needed from states, NCS request could be limited to "achievable" data that states can provide given resource constraints.

2) Development of regional indicators ( may be relevant to NOAA program Regional Integrated Science and Assessments which is considered a viable model basis)

3) Research gaps addressed should include not only areas where additional observational
data is needed, but areas where federal analysis of the data is needed. Examples include:
 Baseline data on tidal elevations (e.g., restoration of tidal gauge system) on the Atlantic Coast, Delaware Bay, and other bays and estuaries extending inland along their entire tidal reaches.
 Mapping the geographic extent of tidal wetlands, including the full suite of saline, brackish and freshwater tidal marshes and swamps.
 Sediment transport and budget for wetlands – needed to support mitigation of loss of wetland area and flood retention functions.
 Ocean acidification – need a study similar to NOAA's ongoing Delaware Bay assessment for NY/NJ Harbor.
 Baseline shoreline data to provide latitude/longitude (LiDAR provides elevation) – overflights.
 Extensive groundtruthing of latitude/longitude/elevation data.
 Coordinated assessment of sea level rise’s cumulative impacts related to stormwater, tides and increasing storm surges.
 High-resolution coastal erosion data.
 Connecting climate research with water resources research.

Other Issues of Concern:

4) In establishing the NCS, there is a need to ensure coordination and collaboration among federal agencies:
 Ensure compatibility of databases. For example, USEPA and USGS database retrievals are now compatible, but NOAA’s is not (as it is proprietary).
 Ensure inclusion of all relevant agencies (e.g., USEPA, USGS, USFWS and USDA).
 Develop a consistent framework for the federal agencies to coordinate/collaborate within (e.g., how do they work together?).
 Designate a lead agency for each issue that states/locals can coordinate through.
 Engage local stakeholders, including states and local governments, throughout the planning and implementation phases.

5) Need for coordination of on-going efforts (federal, regional, state and local; government and non-government) in the field of climate change which NCS could facilitate/support:
 Climate-ready Estuaries Program.
 USEPA National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change.
 U.S. Climate Change Science Program/Adaptation Taskforce – Water Resources Workgroup.
 NOAA Climate Impacts on Conservation
 USDOT- flooding impacts on federal infrastructure
 USDOD - regionalized sea level rise projections for USDOD to identify flooding impacts to military installations

6) NCS may need to interface with other key agencies to ensure consistent climate
information is provided across key sectors including wildlife and biodiversity:

 Shifts/migration in plant and animal species and habitat/ecological systems – need more data/systematic research to generate scientific conclusions – anecdotal data indicates species shifts.
 Interactions and combined impacts of climate change and other threatening processes.
 Identification of critical thresholds and approaches to increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change including connectivity, assisting gradual habitat transitions through management (to provide habitats for north-moving and/or elevational-shifting wildlife and flora).
 Identification of potential invasive plants and pathogens that may flourish and/or invade each state (e.g., local watch list per state) under the changing climate.

7) The foregoing suggestions imply that NCS could also serve as a national center for
climate change adaptation research and information with the following functional
objectives:
 Compiling a list of climate change-related work being conducted to prevent organizations and agencies from repeating efforts and to encourage sharing information and methods (list shall include description of work and contact information for project leader);
 Delivering the information to support climate change adaptation decision-making at the national, regional and local levels through coordination, integration, synthesis and communication of research;
 Coordinating the country's adaptation research resources to more effectively support climate change decision-making by brokering research partnerships and providing a platform to commission new research;
 Building the capacity of the national and state research communities to generate information relevant to decision makers;
 Communicating impacts to business organizations (e.g., hospitality industry, insurance industry, agriculture and fisheries), providing them baseline information so they can perform fiscal impacts of climate change;
 Establishing an interface between researchers, decision-makers and resource managers; and
 Promoting coordinated programs of work on impacts and adaptation across the country, working in collaboration with stakeholders and other researchers in national, regional and sectoral contexts.